Irene Kepler has built a career and a life from her desire to do service work. Irene Kepler especially likes to be involved in social justice endeavors and the social work field. During her several years working in the US and abroad, she has helped to address issues of the stigma attached to individuals who have HIV and AIDS.

Irene Kepler Works with HIV and AIDS Patients Dealing with Stigmas

Irene Kepler not only likes to travel for leisure, but she also travels for the sake of her life’s work. More recently, this has taken her into places like Africa, where there are many individuals who are living with HIV and AIDS. Irene Kepler believes it is important for people who have HIV and AIDS to find a place in society, including some kind of gainful employment or even running their own businesses.

HIV and AIDS can be quite debilitating. However, there are now treatments that are designed to manage the illness, even though there are no cures. Regardless, Irene Kepler knows that this doesn’t have to mean these patients have to live their lives hiding away.

She began her work with HIV/AIDS infected individuals in Tanzania, Africa, which is in the African Great Lakes region in East Africa. Irene began a non-profit organization named Arusha in 2005. The premise behind this organization is to bring soap and fresh fruits and vegetables to the slums in the region. Another level to this is that she employed HIV and AIDS-infected women to sell the items at discounted prices. Not only does this serve to help the women who are working and making money for themselves and their families, but also the greater community since people are having access to this healthy food.

Irene Kepler Wants to Change People’s Views

Irene Kepler employs these women in large part to break down the social stigma that exists about people with such illnesses. She wants to show how they can lead productive and happy lives that aren’t ruined by their condition. It is her hope that this will continue to be a lesson that everyone who meets them will learn.

Irene Kepler works in a more broad aspect to achieve equal rights for women around the world. She believes they should get to live with dignity, freedom, justice, peace, and have numerous opportunities. Be ready to see her make greater strides in these areas in the future.